A look behind the scenes: undertakers provide information about their services

A look behind the scenes: undertakers provide information about their services

On Saturday, October 19, 2024, an important information day took place in Carinthia, at which 23 funeral homes with a total of 40 locations from Carinthia and East Tyrol presented their comprehensive range of services. This day should not only shed light on the options available to undertakers, but also bring up the issue of dying, which is often perceived as a taboo subject, and the services associated with it.

The thought of death is often avoided until a personal loss occurs. Many people are unaware of the extensive support funeral homes provide until they are affected themselves. Therefore, the participating undertakers used this day to present considerations and services that often remain hidden. These companies are available to their customers around the clock and provide valuable assistance in difficult times.

Empathy in difficult times

Bereavement puts relatives in an extraordinary and stressful situation. During the funeral directors' consultations, particular attention is paid to the emotional situation of the bereaved. The staff offer support in choosing the type and location of the funeral service, which is a difficult decision for many, especially if their wishes have never been discussed.

The undertakers' tasks are varied. In addition to organizing the funeral, they take care of coordinating pastors or eulogists, reserving cemetery halls and preparing obituaries as well as arranging floral decorations. Digital memorial pages and individual mementos made from the ashes of the deceased are also possible upon request.

In addition, the last wishes of the deceased are taken into account. When preparing the funeral service, it is crucial that the music and lyrics chosen reflect the personal tastes of the deceased and help the survivors process their emotions.

Sustainability in focus

Another important aspect that is becoming increasingly important is sustainability in burials. The use of natural products in coffins, urns and grave decorations is becoming increasingly popular.Thomas Novak, managing director of Hermagor Funeral Services, emphasizes: "The final farewell can be designed as individually as each deceased person's life was. We try to fulfill all wishes if possible."

One of the more environmentally friendly options that is increasingly in demand in Carinthia is cremation, which is carried out exclusively in the fire hall at the Villach Forest Cemetery. In this way, not only the wishes of the deceased are taken into account, but also the efforts to minimize ecological footprints.

Overall, it became clear during the information day that undertakers offer much more than just the final service. They accompany the bereaved through one of the most difficult phases of their lives and support them in every way so that they can concentrate on what is important: mourning the deceased and being together with the family. For more information on the services provided by funeral homes, see a detailed report on gailtal-journal.at available.